Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—C

Chap

A man, properly a merchant. A chap-man is a merchantman or tradesman. “If you want to buy, I'm your chap.” A good chap-man or chap became in time a good fellow. Hence, A good sort of chap, A clever chap, etc. (Anglo-Saxon, ceap-mann.)

An awkward customer is an analogous phrase.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Chap-book
Chaos
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